The FIVE Most Important Spring Cleaning Projects Everyone Should Do!
It’s the time of year most people have been waiting for, Spring! The flowers are blooming, the weather is perfect, and the sun stays out later at night.
The one thing you may not have been waiting for is spring cleaning, and we get it.
The last thing you want to do after being in your home all winter is to stay inside scrubbing away when finally the perfect day arrives.
So whether you have time to clean your whole house top to bottom, or just time for a few neglected chores, these items should be on your list!
1. The Fridge (and the Freezer, Too)
You’re about to have all sorts of fun produce to load up in your fridge: grapes, watermelons, gorgeous heads of lettuce! Plus ice cream and ice pops in the freezer. Make things easier for Future You and make the space now. Pull out all of the drawers and racks and wash them. Clean the inside with a de-greaser or scouring pad to get rid of sticky residue. Replace that old box of baking soda with a fresh one and don’t forget to vacuum the condenser coils on the back! Your fresh veggies will thank you!
2. The Oven
If you can’t see thorough your oven window or if you’re getting used to that smell of food burning every time you preheat, then it’s time to clean your oven! If you have an oven with an auto-clean cycle, it’s important to wipe out any big spills first to prevent flare ups.
For manual cleaning, try using a natural paste of baking soda, water and liquid dish soap instead of harsh chemicals.
Be sure to wipe up grease and grime spills as soon as it happens instead of letting it sit inside your oven and get harder as time goes on.
Clean that thing now and it’ll be pristine and sparkly when you are ready to fire it up again.
3. Gutters
Give your exterior a fast face lift by removing leaves and debris from your gutters before they start to sprout seedlings. Regular maintenance of this overlooked area helps prevent rotting and water damage to your house.
Use a leaf blower, or simply scoop out the debris and blow out the remaining dirt with a hose. While you’re clearing the gutters, check for cracks in the seams. Use an old chisel to scrape the old caulking out and dry the area thoroughly. Use new bead silicon sealant to keep water from getting behind the gutters.
4. Carpet and Rugs
Carpets accumulate a lot of dust, dirt and even fungi over time, all of which are unsightly, unhygienic and can be potential health hazards. Up to 80% of carpet dirt is loose and on the surface, and can be removed with regular vacuuming.
Further extend the life and appearance of your carpets as well as banish those really stubborn bugs and stains with regular deep cleaning.
It’s well worth renting steam-cleaning equipment or hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to do the job.
5. Windows Inside and Out
Clean, clear windows make any room feel lighter and cleaner simply by letting more light in, and the more natural light you get, the less electricity you use! Not to mention, the lighter the room, the lighter your mood!
When cleaning your windows, wipe the inside up and down, and the outside left to right. If you end up with streaks, you’ll know which side they’re on. Don’t forget to wash screens and sills/tracks.
This is the perfect time to revive drab window coverings. Just run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel (to attract the dust) for 15 minutes, and rehang immediately.
For a quick, complete wipe-down of your window blinds, shut the blinds and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Then close the blinds in the opposite direction and wipe other side.